 Exclusively designed and dedicated mammal photo trip to see pumas (mountain lions, cougars) in the remote wilderness of Patagonia, Chile's Torres del Paine. Available March through August 2010 & 2011, from Punta Arenas, Chile. 6 days, 5 nights from Punta Arenas, Chile | See rates of 2010 southern fall and winter trips! 
Chile's Torres del Paine National Park is frequently honoured by visitors as being one of the world's most beautiful places. Its wildlife is normally very tame and it's not rare to see herds of relaxed and inquisitive guanacos at very close quarters; it's something else to try to see the lonely hunter that dwells in the vast and barren hills, the puma. This expedition has been specifically designed to try to see these big cats in one the wildest areas throughout its entire range in the Americas. Join us on this quest, to discover the wildlife of Torres del Paine and its secretive and yet most awe-inspiring inhabitant.
Pumas of Torres del Paine (Trip Code TDP03) Trip Highlights • Expedition exclusively designed to see puma or Mountain Lion in the wild. • Day and night searches for pumas. • This trip is led by an experienced naturalist guide and puma tracker. • In-depth natural history exploration to Torres del Paine National Park. • An interesting array of mammals restricted to the Southern Andes and Patagonia.
This program is operated as a custom trip (flexible option which runs on a date you choose giving you more privacy) and is available upon request for individuals or small private groups.
The Difference of Travelling with Fantástico Sur Expeditions: • Each of these trips have a maximum of 6 participants. • Great accommodations at conveniently located hotels and lodges, meaning shorter driving times to the puma sites. • Superb dinning cuisine and memorable picnic lunches. • Spacious vehicles that ensure a window seat to each trip participant. • Each vehicle and driver we use has been authorized by the Chilean Transportation Authority. • The service and expertise of a professional local naturalist leader, who will look after every logistical aspect of “your” holiday. • You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our great natural history books for Chile & Patagonia. • … plus an useful pre-departure information package. Pumas of Torres del Paine can be combined with the following optional extension: • Tierra del Fuego & Cape Horn Expedition Cruise (4 days / 3 nights ; 5 days / 4 nights); journey to the fjords, glaciers and history of the southern tip of South America. Only available for March and April puma trips. *Only March & April departures.
Pumas of Torres del Paine (Trip Code TDP03) 
Day 1 • Arrival to Punta Arenas – Transfer to Torres del Paine National ParkAfter meeting your guide at your hotel or at the airport, you will be transferred in a private vehicle to Torres del Paine. During our journey to the park, we will try to find guanacos, southern grey foxes, and Patagonian skunks while enjoying our first contact with southern beech (Nothofagus) forests. While visiting the valleys we will be given a geological interpretation of the origins of the dramatic backdrop of Torres del Paine, one of the finest natural spectacles in Patagonia. Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine (4*). (L,D)(G). 
Days 2-5 • Exploring Torres del Paine – Puma searches We have organized a busy schedule of day and night search outings for pumas in the area. We will inspect the immediate surroundings of our hotel at night as well as the puma hunting grounds located in the eastern flank of the park. The area comprised by the northern coast of Sarmiento Lake, Laguna Amarga and Laguna Azul is well known by holding one of the largest concentrations of pumas in the wild. Late February through July are particularly good to attempt to find them as the females are actively hunting to provide food to their almost fully-grown cubs; at this time they are not active just by night but also during the twilight hours. To see a female puma and its large-sized cubs against this magnificent mountain backdrop and glorious skies is one of the most impressive wildlife spectacles. In company of our guide and puma tracker we will attempt seeing puma family groups at a prudent distance with the help of binoculars and spotting scopes. If we have time, we will also take the opportunity to look for other mammal species including the ubiquitous guanaco, the local Andean Deer or Huemul, Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk and the two canid species present in the park, Chilla and Culpeo foxes. Hotel Las Torres, Torres del Paine (4*). (B,L,D)(G). Day 6 • Torres del Paine – Transfer to Punta Arenas During the morning we will continue our exploration in different areas of the park. A sensational vista from Laguna Azul on the eastern side of the park will be a superb grande finale to this exciting journey of discovery among the natural wonders of the "end of the world". Later, we will be transferred to Punta Arenas where our trip ends. (B,L)(G). Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; *=Hotel Category
Pumas of Torres del Paine (Trip Code TDP03) Meet/Depart: Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, Chile. Dates and Rates for scheduled departures: Trip Code | TDP03 | Trip Length | 6 days | 5 nights | 2010 Dates
| Tour A. March 20-25 Tour B. April 17-22 Tour C. May 15-20 Tour D. June 12-17 Tour E. August 7-12 | 2011 Dates
| Tour A. March 19-24 Tour B. April 16-21 | Price per person
| March & April 2010
| May - August 2010
| | | $2,398 (app. £1,448, €1,644) | $1,825 (app. £1,102, €1,251) | Single Supplement
| $480 (app. £290, €329) | $175 (app. £106, €120)
| Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 4 participants. Maximum group size 6 participants. |
Rates for custom departures (you choose the date): Trip Length | 6 days | 5 nights | Price per person
| March & April 2010
| May - August 2010
| | | $2,868 (app. £1,731, €1,966)
| $2,350 (app. £1,418, €1,611) | Single Supplement | $480 (app. £290, €329) | $175 (app. £106, €120) | Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants. |
NOTE: The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy. Rates in GBP (£) and Euros (€) are only for reference. Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested. Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas? Domestic flights Santiago – Punta Arenas – Santiago (from US$ 150 per person). Duration of the flight: 3 hours (direct) / 4 hours (with a stop-over in Puerto Montt). What the trip includes/excludes The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, and park entrance fees.The trip price excludes: Domestic flights, tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature. Tour Registration: To register for this tour, complete the Fantástico Sur Expeditions registration form and return it (by fax or email) with a deposit of $350 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure. Cancellation Policy: Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us. Refunds are made according to the following schedule: If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less $200 is refundable. If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded. If cancellation is made fewer than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available. This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.
Pumas of Torres del Paine (Trip Code TDP03) Check out our set of images from recent puma trips in Torres del Paine.
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